Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce and embedding itself into nearly every industry. But as the technology accelerates, one group risks being shut out entirely: incarcerated individuals.
Now, The Last Mile, an organization operating in eight states including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, is working to close that gap by training incarcerated individuals for in-demand, tech-driven careers — all without giving students access to the internet.
“Ninety-six percent of the people incarcerated right now in the United States will be walking free, at least for a period of time,” said Kevin McCracken, The Last Mile’s executive director. “How many of them do you want to stay home ready to work, contributing to the tax base in your community, raising their kids with two parents or whatever their situation is, and also being not a nuisance to the public, but somebody that is a safe member of the society?”…